Esther Koplowitz

he Esther Koplowitz Foundation, endowed in its entirety by its chairwoman, aims to provide assistance to the elderly, disabled and helpless and to minors and other persons facing problems of social integration or at risk of social exclusion due to physical, social or cultural reasons.

Among the foundation’s charitable projects, the construction and fitting out of two residences for elderly persons of limited means stands out. One in Collado Villalba (Madrid) provides 140 beds for residents and 40 more in a daytime centre while another in Barcelona makes available 137 beds for residents and 30 in a daytime centre. The foundation has also built and equipped a residence for persons with major psychic and physical disability in the city of Valencia with 40 beds for residents and 30 in a daytime centre.

Since Esther took on a new role as Chairwoman of the Strategy Committee, FCC has generated 42% of its revenues abroad, while diversifying its activity towards urban and environmental services (waste and water), and energy. 
Yet, to the outside world Esther Koplowitz, born in Madrid in 1953, is an enigma. The exact nature of her contributions to the success of FCC has never been clear outside of the company, even to Spanish commentators. Some, while describing her as ‘Principal Shareholder’, assume that she plays little or no part in the running of the company and spends most of her time involved with philanthropic causes. Other commentators have suggested that no significant decisions ever get taken without her personal approval.

Since buying her sister Alicia’s shares in 1998, Esther Koplowitz has been exclusively responsible for the strategic direction of FCC. Apart from setting the strategic direction of the company Esther Koplowitz has maintained a high level of personal involvement in all of FCC’s acquisitions over the last decade. There have been a number of occasions where she has acted decisively to restructure the shareholding of FCC in order to secure the company’s long-term future. With hindsight these interventions were crucial in creating the conditions necessary for the company to pursue its policies of diversification and international expansion that have brought such impressive returns.